In patient with normal renal function on arrival (defined as eGFR ≥60 mI/min/1.73 cm2, n = 18), our result revealed an elevated urinary MIF indicating the presence of kidney infection compared to normal controls (4.7 ± 3.8 ng/mg versus 0.7 ± 0.5 ng/mg,  P < 0.001). Here, MIF is linked to pyelonephritis.